Your View: Philanthropy means more than dollars

Friday

Aug 8, 2014 at 12:01 AM

It is currently 73 degrees outside and the sun is hidden behind a thick blanket of ominous dark clouds that will more likely than not ruin the upcoming afternoon on the tennis court. It was either the weather or the shock of curiosity that caused my neighbor to stop and ask, "Excuse me. Why did I just see you pour that bucket of what looks to be freezing cold ice water on your head?" I laughed and capitalized on my opportunity. "Have you heard of ALS," I asked. She had not, but she had heard something of Lou Gehrig's disease, a disease that she was quite unfamiliar with. I sarcastically responded with, "That is exactly why I just drenched myself."

CHACE HOWLAND

It is currently 73 degrees outside and the sun is hidden behind a thick blanket of ominous dark clouds that will more likely than not ruin the upcoming afternoon on the tennis court. It was either the weather or the shock of curiosity that caused my neighbor to stop and ask, "Excuse me. Why did I just see you pour that bucket of what looks to be freezing cold ice water on your head?" I laughed and capitalized on my opportunity. "Have you heard of ALS," I asked. She had not, but she had heard something of Lou Gehrig's disease, a disease that she was quite unfamiliar with. I sarcastically responded with, "That is exactly why I just drenched myself."

What my curious neighbor had witnessed me complete was the now viral social media phenomena, the #Strikeout ALS #Ice Bucket Challenge. For the sake of brevity and the unfamiliar, the ALS ice bucket challenge is designed to raise awareness for ALS. When challenged, one must complete the challenge of dumping ice water over his or her head within a 24-hour grace period of accepting the initial challenge. If not completed, one must donate to the ALS foundation. I was serendipitously "challenged" via Facebook like hundreds of my "friends" and I imagine hundreds of thousands around the world. I obviously accepted.

To my consternation, after posting my video and challenging others, I read an acrimonious Facebook status written by someone who claimed to work for a non-profit organization, scathingly critical of the ice bucket challenge participants. Part of the response stated, "What are you doing for ALS by pouring ice water over your head? That is not philanthropy and you shouldn't try to make it out to be. You should donate money, not waste ice! You're not a philanthropist!" Stunned and wide-eyed, I questioned why I had just saturated my clothes and the little amount of hair that I have with freezing ice water. But then I realized how hypocritical the critic was and not myself. Yet, despite the realization, it really stuck in my craw.

I naturally Googled the word "philanthropy." The Oxford Dictionary defined philanthropy as "the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes." Now having educated myself on the word philanthropy, I began to assess the posted argument coming from the side of the resistance. I found it to be undoubtedly ignorant and counterproductive.

Here is my reasoning:

The first portion of the definition states that it is a desire to promote the welfare of others. What does the viral ice bucket challenge do? Let's take a gander, shall we? In today's society you cannot help but know that many people's financial situations are dire. Well, this challenge is perfect for those in that situation. Completing the ice bucket challenge and challenging others, many around the world will be introduced to the ALS disease. Many will become more familiar with the ALS disease. Due to the required challenge offerings, many more will continue to spread the word even further about the ALS disease. So many people will learn about this disease that many will donate if they can, send cards to patients, spend more time with those we know who have the disease, convince aspiring medical and science personnel to rethink their current path and to possibly venture down the path of ALS research and treatment. And to think, this could all be done because of some silly video of people dumping ice water on their heads.

People have shaved their heads to support friends enduring chemotherapy. Athletes often wear pink ribbons or other accouterments to support breast cancer. Many people wear rubber bracelets to support people battling numerous unfortunate ailments. And people are now dumping water on their heads to support those suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis — ALS.

Is the act silly? Sure. Is it effective? Yes. I hope those cynical resistance fighters of the viral #Strikeout ALS #ice bucket challenge take the time to read this and re-evaluate their contradiction. Because that is what it is — a contradiction. Philanthropy is to promote the welfare of others and this achieves that unequivocally. Philanthropy is not to ridicule or stop people from attempting to promote the welfare of others. Money would be a great donation, but it is OK if one cannot do so.

To those of you who have been challenged, please accept! Do not feel bad if you cannot donate monetarily. If you can, well, I urge you to do so. This is for a terrific cause.

To the cynics, please stop! I am afraid you will do more harm than good to a great cause that you claim to be trying to help.

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